The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

Part 4: 1

I'd secretly dated Antonio Kaufman, my brother's best friend, for seven years.

I always believed a proposal was inevitable.

Then I discovered he was waiting for his first love to return.

I was a placeholder, a convenient means to an end.

***

I followed Antonio to a bar, eavesdropping on his conversation with friends.

"Antonio, now that your true love is back, what about Grace?" one asked.

Antonio's silence hung heavy in the air.

Another man snickered, "Freddy warned us off his sis... He wouldn't let anyone hurt her."

It was common knowledge.

"Alicia dumped me. I was just trying

get back at her." Antonio finally said, his voice

at Alicia Hogan's

Antonio showered

when Alicia bolted out in tears, he shoved me

scalding myself and ruining

and hurting, I

been forbidden to enter

desk, was a photo of

"About your suggestion of an arranged marriage, I've reconsidered. I'm in!" "Grace, are you alright?"

just been thinking. It's time I

you be back? You should

the sooner the company's problems are solved. Start planning the wedding. Let's

from now," I

touch with Antonio? I heard his first love is back. Invite him

was serious, devoid

humor.

Alicia. That explained Antonio's insistence on keeping our relationship

"We are

said goodbye to Freddy

call.

smiling eyes. "Who are

I flatly replied. He raised an eyebrow and pulled me into his